Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment That Sets the Tone for Your Big Day
Philadelphia wedding entertainment plays a powerful role in creating the mood, energy, and memories of your celebration. From the first song as newlyweds to the last dance of the night, the entertainment you choose helps define the experience for you and your guests. While venue, photography, and countless other details are equally important, selecting the right entertainment is key to ensuring your wedding day feels as magical as you’ve imagined. To dive deeper into making the best choice for your entertainment, we turned to the experts at BVTLive! for their insider tips.
Photo credit: BVTLive!
Choosing the Perfect Music for Your Philadelphia Wedding
Go Beyond the Playlist
Planning your wedding music is more than just making a “Must Hear” and “Do Not Play” list. Think about the overall mood you want to create—whether that’s keeping the dance floor packed all night or encouraging a relaxed, lounge-style atmosphere.
Match the Music to Your Theme
Your entertainment should complement your wedding style. A beach-themed celebration might call for steel drums at cocktail hour, while a romantic garden wedding could pair beautifully with a string quartet. Let your venue and theme inspire your musical choices.
Showcase Your Personality
Your song selections are a reflection of who you are as a couple. If you have a unique, indie vibe, consider a first dance to something like “Perfect Space” by The Avett Brothers instead of a traditional pick like “At Last” by Etta James. Don’t be afraid to make it personal. It’s your big day!
Decide Between a Band or DJ
Once you’ve settled on your style and favorite songs, it’s time to think about how you want them performed. Live bands can bring energy and a one-of-a-kind sound, while DJs offer versatility and the ability to seamlessly mix genres. Ask yourself: which will best deliver the experience you want for your guests?
No matter which direction you choose, the right Philadelphia wedding entertainment will bring your vision to life. Certainly, it will keep your guests talking long after the last song plays.
There’s No “Right” Answer—Only the Right Fit for You
This debate could go on forever; pros and cons exist for both, so choose what fits you best.
Start with the Budget Question & Know What Drives Pricing
Arguably the first filter is cost: bands are generally pricier than DJs—but the right live band can be worth every penny.
Day of the week, time of year, event length, and other factors can move the price for both bands and DJs, so don’t rule anything out too quickly.
Stuck Deciding? Consider a Hybrid
If you can’t choose, there are options that land in the middle and let you have both elements.
BVTLive! Blend / BVTLive! Fusion
Live musicians for ceremony and cocktail hour, with a DJ for the reception—live sophistication plus DJ flexibility.
A DJ performs with live musicians simultaneously. It’s the energy of live music while keeping a modest budget.
Check Venue Size and Noise Restrictions First & Avoid Day-Of Disappointments
Before booking, confirm your space can accommodate your entertainment—both in terms of physical setup and sound limits.
Nothing’s worse than discovering your dream 12-piece band won’t fit, or that a curfew will cut your DJ short hours before you planned to end.
Look for Space-Saving and Volume-Friendly Solutions
For example, BVTLive!’s flagship band, Jellyroll, uses in-ear technology instead of bulky stage monitors to save space.
Outdoor Venues Often Have Stricter Noise Rules
Discuss these details with your musicians early to ensure everything is in place well before the big day.
See Your Entertainment in Action
Attend a live showcase before booking to experience your band or DJ’s sound, style, and presence firsthand. However, if you can’t go live, go online.
Check testimonials, browse live performance videos, and use the resources provided on their website.
Personality Matters as Much as Song Choice
Even if every song is on your list, poor stage presence can make the experience fall flat—look for performers with energy and charisma.
Trust, But Verify
Recommendations from friends and pros are valuable, but see the performers yourself to be sure you’ll love them just as much.
